No booze on Rose-Bowl bound truck

There will be no alcohol on Wisconsin's Rose Bowl-bound equipment truck this year.

The University of Wisconsin changed its policies regarding the purchase and serving of alcohol at school functions after a student accused the senior associate athletics director of grabbing his crotch during a pre-Rose Bowl party the official hosted last December at the Los Angeles hotel where the team was staying.

Alcohol served at the party had been bought with booster funds and as with other away games, had been shipped to the site along with the team's equipment.

The athletics department instituted new, interim policies in May that prohibit the transporting of alcohol to off-campus events and explicitly forbids alcohol from some department events, including team banquets, letter jacket presentations and graduation ceremonies, the State Journal reported Monday (http://bit.ly/V5Q3ft ).

A broader, permanent set of university-wide alcohol policies are expected to be put in place early next year, said Darrell Bazzell, vice chancellor for administration.

Associate athletic director Justin Doherty said the department didn't plan any extra communication of the new policies as employees plan to go to the Rose Bowl, but it will continue to stress to staff and students that they should represent the university in a positive light.

"I think everyone's aware of the situation from last year," he said. "I think that would be front of mind for people. Our message of responsible behavior and representing the school with class doesn't change."

John Chadima was suspended and resigned in January after the male student employee accused him of grabbing his crotch at the Dec. 30 pre-Rose Bowl party at the Los Angeles hotel where the team was staying. In a statement at the time, Chadima said he made no excuses for his behavior and apologized. He said alcohol had "controlled and consumed" his life.

The LAPD said in March it was investigating the incident, but Chadima had not been charged and it wasn't immediately clear Monday if the investigation was still ongoing.

University officials said that Chadima violated existing alcohol policies that required staff to get department permission before serving alcohol at events. But athletic director Barry Alvarez said the department's oversight of alcohol at events "probably" became lax, prompting a fresh look.

Under the current policies, alcohol can be served at other department events, but it can't be bought with taxpayer money and can't be served to student athletes, student managers or minors, even if they're accompanied by parents..

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No booze on Rose-Bowl bound truck

There will be no alcohol on Wisconsin's Rose Bowl-bound equipment truck this year.